VP De Castro declines DSWD post; Accepts NAPC assignment, says Soliman will remain secretary
Vice President Noli de Castro yesterday said that he has decided to decline President Gloria Macapagal Arroyos offer to name him secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Juliano Soliman will remain head of the department, he said in a statement.
As vice president, he added, he will work with the President as a team to help realize her vision for the country.
Following is the full text of the Vice Presidents statement:
After consulting with the President, I have decided to politely decline her offer to appoint me as Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Secretary Dinky Soliman shall remain as head of the department. In the meantime, I will continue to assist the President as alternate Chairman of the National Anti-Poverty Commission. (NAPC) I believe this will be good for our people.
“However, certain facts should be clarified. Before the start of the campaign, the President asked me what would be my preference for a Cabinet position. Instinctively, I mentioned DSWD as my preference because it is the department that addresses the immediate needs of the disadvantaged. I did not covet the position. The matter was discussed again shortly before the proclamation and thereafter when the President advised me that she was appointing me as DSWD Secretary. I appreciated the offer and thanked her.
“As Vice-President I will continue to support the President and help in realizing our vision for a
Tags: cabinet position, department of social welfare, dinky soliman, DSWD, gloria macapagal arroyo, Noli De Castro, vice president
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